I am no scientist or research student to comment on the curious topic of Brain waves, but let us understand it for a better life.
Much of this article is copy-paste from various resources I will credit at the end. But I have simplified the language and information, in general, is highlighted.
This article is very useful, as the Brain is the primary organ, and all functioning in our life is controlled by our brain only. But then also we don’t spend much time and effort to focus on such an important topic.
We spend a lot of time understanding beauty concepts, digestion, food exercise. But fraction of time when it come sto brain concept.
Why do we need to understand Brain Waves, how does it link to a better life?
It is well known that the brain is an electrochemical organ; researchers have speculated that a fully functioning brain can generate as much as 10 watts of electrical power. Even though this electrical power is very limited, it does occur in very specific ways that are characteristic of the human brain. Electrical activity emanating from the brain is displayed in the form of brainwaves.
We’ve all experienced that magical feeling of being hit with ‘a brainwave’. That moment of newfound clarity, a shift in perspective, or a novel idea. And typically, it seems to appear out of nowhere. In between sips of coffee, while out for a walk, or simply hugging your baby, even during a nap.
When many neurons interact in this way at the same time, this activity is strong enough to be detected even outside the brain. By placing electrodes on the scalp, this activity can be amplified, analyzed, and visualized. This is electroencephalography, or EEG – a fancy word that just means an electric brain graph. Kind of ECG of the heart (just to relate in simple terms).
The 5 main types of brainwave frequencies
Different patterns of brainwaves can be recognized by their amplitudes and frequencies. Brainwaves can then be categorized based on their level of activity or frequency.
- Delta waves, which are between 0.5 and 4 hertz (Hz), occur during deep states of dreamless sleep. Delta brain waves are the slowest brain waves. They are generated in deep meditation and dreamless sleep. Healing and regeneration occur when the brain is in this state.
- Theta waves, which are between 4 and 8 Hz, occur during light sleep or deep relaxation. Theta waves also occur in sleep and during relaxation. They are indicative of an inner focus, and dreams and vivid imagery occur in this state.
- Alpha waves, which measure between 8 and 12 Hz, occur when people feel relaxed and when the brain is in an idle state without concentrating on anything. These waves occur during quiet, thoughtful times. Alpha waves indicate that the brain is in a resting state.
- Beta waves, which measure between 12 and 30 Hz, are the waves that occur during most conscious, waking states. It is a fast activity that signals attentiveness and alertness. Beta waves are the most common pattern in the normal waking state. They occur when one is alert and focused.
- Gamma waves, which measure between 25 and 100 Hz, are the fastest wavelength brain waves that are linked to activities such as learning, problem-solving, and information processing. Gamma brain waves are the fastest and are associated with higher levels of consciousness.
BRAIN WAVES AND MENTAL HEALTH
Neuroscientists have recently discovered a link between an overabundance of gamma waves in the brain and schizophrenia. Gamma waves cause hyperactivity in areas of the brain, and when this hyperactivity is abnormally high, as it often is in those with schizophrenia, delusions and hallucinations can result. Poor sleep, which also results from an excess of hyperactive brain waves, has also been recently shown to be a contributing factor to symptoms of schizophrenia: Those who have trouble sleeping due to overabundant gamma waves in the brain may experience a “triggering” of schizophrenia symptoms.
Brain waves are relevant to mental health, as abnormalities in brain functioning can influence the development of certain conditions. For example, when certain areas of the brain are over-aroused, an individual may experience anxiety, nightmares or other sleep problems, impulsivity, and aggression. Too little arousal in the brain, on the other hand, has been correlated with depression, chronic pain, and insomnia. If brain rhythms are unstable, an individual may experience obsessive compulsions, develop epilepsy, or have panic attacks.
Our aim should be to move from Gamma state to Theta state. Delta state is Sub-concious and requires deep long meditation, ingeneral monks attain this state. That too after years of practice.
How to manipulate your brainwaves
There’s actually a very simple way to change your brainwaves to feel more centered and less stressed: Meditation.
“Regular meditation has been found to increase alpha activity and decrease beta in waking states,” Shorter, “beginner” meditations are associated with alpha waves. “It’s also been demonstrated to enhance gamma wave states, which makes sense because gamma is thought to increase awareness and make us very in tune with ourselves and our environment.” Gamma waves means high level of brain activity which is required during multi tasking which is quite common these days.
If you want to cultivate a certain type of brainwave while engaging in a certain kind of task—like tapping into alpha waves if you can’t sleep, or that theta flow vibe while running—it is suggested listening to binaural beats, which are looping sounds that promote specific brainwave states. You can find them on Youtube or Spotify by searching for the type of brainwave you’re after, like “theta binaural beats.” (I’ve tried this, and can attest that it definitely helps me get into the zone when I’m facing a blank Word document on my computer.) Brain.fm is another option, which features actual music to enhance focus, relaxation, or meditation.
